Ellie braids…AKA: pie twists
Ellie and Penny have been gone for the past 10 days. And so we will celebrate with pie!
I thought I would share with you all one of my very favorite ways to use up all the pie dough scraps. They are so easy to make and it totally makes my family go wild when they see me braiding up strips of pie dough.
So, after trimming your pie, gather up the scraps and create a rectangular shape. Roll it out fairly thin (the bigger you roll it out, the more twists you get!)
Now this may drive some of you nuts, but I eyeball rectangles and cut them out (2″x5or6″? you can make them bigger, of course depending how much dough you have on hand.)
Then just create 2 slits, evenly cut and braid like you would on someone’s hair…that’s why I call them “Ellie braids”, they remind me so much of her cute piggy tails she wore daily when she was younger.
Now just sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, I also like to add a touch of nutmeg and bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes. Eat warm or let them cool and drizzle a powdered sugar frosting.
So now you all know I am serious with my pie twists. What started it?
When Nathan and I were first married and lived in Whittier, CA I frequented a local bakery that made THE BEST TWISTS EVER. They would sell out pretty quick and I would seriously be totally disappointed if I couldn’t get one- I know, really…there are other things to attach such disappointment to that needs attention, but you know…
After Ellie’s birth, I used her as an excuse to watch the cake decorating lady. Fun for Ellie to watch and I could get my fill of twists as well. When we moved, I was heartsick- I know I know I know.
So now, each Thanksgiving after we make dozens of homemade pies at Moveable Feast, I have the honor of making twists for the staff and to sell. It’s a fun tradition and many can relate to their Grandmas “never wasting” and making these delectable treats.
When you make a pie next, try these twists. Heck, make pie dough and just create a bunch of twists- that’s what my family hopes I do!
but just left over bits of dough that we twist and slab with butter and sugar. Yes, my grammy showed me and my mom kept it up. the knots are a great variation.